Skin Microbiome Patterns Associated with Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Microbiology
• Genomics

Background:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most prevalent human malignancy.
• The role of the skin microbiome in BCC development is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differences in the cutaneous microbiome between BCC lesions, perilesional skin, and healthy control skin.
• To identify specific microbial alterations associated with BCC.

Main Methods:

• Whole-genome shotgun sequencing was employed for microbial analysis.
• An intra-patient, multi-site sampling design compared BCC lesions with matched perilesional and control skin.
• Statistical analyses included diversity metrics (Chao1), community composition analysis (PERMANOVA), and species-level abundance comparisons.

Main Results:

• BCC lesions exhibited significantly reduced microbial richness (lower Chao1 diversity) compared to control skin.
• Distinct shifts in microbial community composition were observed in BCC samples.
• Cutibacterium acnes abundance was significantly lower in BCC lesions, with an approximate 27% reduction.
• Functional profiling indicated differential representation of metabolic pathways related to redox balance and lipid metabolism in BCC samples.

Conclusions:

• BCC lesions are characterized by localized alterations in microbial diversity, composition, and inferred functional potential.
• A tumor-associated microbiome signature may be present in BCC.
• Further research in larger cohorts is necessary to determine the causal role of these microbial changes in BCC development or their adaptation to the tumor microenvironment.